WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Richard Hamilton, the leading scorer for
the NBA's second-worst defensive team, had no problem exploiting
the league's worst.

Hamilton scored a career-high 41 points as the Washington
Wizards snapped a three-game losing streak with a 116-110
victory over the Golden State Warriors.

Hamilton, who is making a strong case for the NBA's Most
Improved Player, made 17-of-25 shots and 7-of-9 free throws. He
also tied career highs with nine rebounds and eights assists.

"He's probably one of the toughest guys to defend with the ball
in his hands," Golden State's Antawn Jamison said. "He's not the
type of guy who is always going to go to the basket but he knows
how to create his won space and get open looks."

The Wizards shot a season-high 58 percent (45-of-78) and held a
dominating 51-32 edge on the boards, led by Jahidi White and
Michael Smith.

White had 21 points, tied a career-high with 16 rebounds and
blocked three shots while Smith grabbed 12 rebounds and handed
out six assists to go with two points.

"We tried to establish the inside game early and that is what
got me going," White said. "We really played team ball. We were
working with chemistry, we played great defense and we need to
do that more often."

Washington also got huge contributions from rookies Courtney
Alexander and David Vanterpool. Alexander had 24 points and six
rebounds and Vanterpool scored a career-high 21 points. The duo
combined to make 18-of-25 shots and Vanterpool sank all seven of
his foul shots for the Wizards, who made 24-of-33 from the line.

"We got to the free throw line and that made a huge difference,"
Washington coach Leonard Hamilton said. "When you get a guy on a
roll like Richard being complemented by Courtney and David with
Michael and Jahidi, it makes your offense a lot smoother."

The Warriors led, 36-24, early in the second quarter but saw
that lead disappear when Washington used a 17-0 run to take the
lead for good.

"We started out the game pretty good," Golden State coach Dave
Cowens said. "They had that big second quarter and that's what
turned it around. They started coming at us like we weren't even
out there."

Hamilton scored six points during the run, including the layup
that tied the game, 36-36, with 8:22 left in the second period.
Smith gave the Wizards the lead with a pair of free throws and
and White capped the decisive spurt with a free throw that made
it 41-36 with with 7:08 remaining in the first half.

Hamilton scored 12 in the quarter and gave the Wizards their
biggest lead, 63-50, before the Warriors closed within 10 at the
half.

Washington was never able to pull away, but every time the
Warriors made a run, Hamilton had an answer and the Wizards
cruised to their second win over Golden State in nine days.

The Warriors shot just 44 percent (43-of-97) and made only
10-of-17 free throws.

Jamison scored 31 points and Mookie Blaylock added 18 and 11
assists for Golden State, which has lost five straight games
here and 13 of the last 16.

Adonal Foyle added 14 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks and
Erick Dampier scored 11 points for the Warriors, who have lost
21 of their last 23 games.